There are specific laws dealing with how internet radio pays for the use of licensed music, originally outlined by the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) passed in 1998. It established rules and guidelines for how much internet radio has to pay. However, at the time that amount was really restrictive. There has been an ongoing debate about it since then, and only as recently as September 2008 did the US Congress pass a law stating that the amount of royalties an internet radio broadcaster has to pay would be based on a percentage of revenue, and January 2009 when that was accepted as official by the US Copyright Royalty Board.

You might want to consider franchising. A lot of young people, not ready to start working in the corporate world while things are still so volatile, are instead opening and running franchises of popular businesses. It lowers the risk that they run when they get in, but allows them enough freedom to operate themselves.

Another option is to start an internet-based business. With less overhead and a wider access to potential customers, it’s sometimes easier to get started without corporate backing.

Finally, look into taking partners. You’re not the only person struggling in this economy just out of school. Find people with similar interests and vision and start a business together.

If you’re looking to import from Mexico, you want to contact the Trade Commission of Mexico in Los Angeles (350 S. Figueroa St, Suite 296, Los Angeles, California 90071, phone # (213) 628-1220). However, that’s for general information. The US doesn’t require a specific importer’s license, but you will be asked for your “importer’s number,” which is either the IRS tax number of your business, or your social security number if you don’t have a registered business. Otherwise, contact your local Customs office for more information on the paperwork you’ll need. Also, read this document from the US Customs website: http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/newsroom/publications/trade/iius.ctt/iius.pdf

For now, I would suggest finding another potential business. While e-cigarettes are currently sold nationwide in over 4000 retail outlets, the FDA’s findings show that they contain nitrosamines (which are the carcinogens found in regular cigarettes anyway) and diethylene glycol, the poisonous part of antifreeze. While it’s by no means a sure thing, odds are that the FDA will either heavily regulate them (as they are considered now a “drug delivery device”) or, more likely, ban them like was done in Australia. While you may be able to take advantage of the hype temporarily, it’s not a business with much of a future.

Trade shows are a really good way to start, where you’ll get a chance to see demonstrations of all sorts of products from suppliers in your industry.

Another thing you may want to try is the Thomas Registry of Manufacturers, which can be found at your local major library or online at http://www.thomasnet.com/ . There you can look up suppliers by industry and geographic region to find the people best suited to your business.

That rather depends on who your family members are and if you feel that you can trust them to be good employees. Like with any other employee, you have work that needs to get done and they need to be able to do it. Which also means that you have to be able to keep your work and family life separate. In the end, it can work very well or very poorly, and you have to be willing to react either way.